end of an era

Funny how life changes in an instant. This is always the thought when someone dies suddenly. Long illness or cancer you expect death and I suppose as one gets up in years you expect it more, but we're never ready. Going about my day with my five year old in tow, it was a pleasant hump day. Good sales, happy customers, happy child make a good day. Then the news comes. That hangdog look upon my neighbor's face that told me instantly what I already knew. How can this be? Two within two months. You hear of this happening with old married couples, but a couple of barbers? To me these were not just any old barbers. They had worked side by side for almost fifty years. They were family to each other. They took family trips to Cedar Point. Their kids grew up side by side in the barbershop. They had been together through love, marriage, kids, divorce, death. These men were old school Italian tough guys with hearts of gold and mouths like sailors. They couldn't have been more different yet were so much alike. Years together will do that. Today Paul left us. A sudden collapse this morning and by afternoon he was gone. Paul started the barbershop and recently celebrated fifty years. It was a surprise party complete with pasta, meatballs, and our local mayor. The vino flowed and in a flashbulb moment my barber and I were captured in a photograph. A photograph that sits beside my desk. Happier times caught on film. After Joe's death I found it hard to enter the barbershop. I couldn't walk by his chair. Paul knew this. Recently he walked in leaving a trail of tiny hairs in his wake. He said I had been on his mind. This was hard for Paul. He wasn't one to let emotion define his persona. He was cool as a cucumber. Classy like an old film star. Paul was who I turned to when life was too much. He listened without saying a word, without judgement. He would give me no bullshit advice that soothed my worried soul. He was peaceful. He made me feel peaceful. Where Joe was loud, Paul was quiet. Even as my child raced through the shop wreaking holy havoc all over the place, Paul remained quiet as he slipped wild child dollar bills. Unflappable. He had been there done that. He traded a wild youth for the love of his life, family, and his barbershop. Devout Catholic. Florida in January. Simple life, what we all strive to achieve. Ten years I had the honor of being their neighbor. I knew this day would come, feared this day would come. Now that they're gone I feel empty, my heart too heavy for words. There will be no more conversations. No more appreciative looks at my backside. No more stories of younger days. No more Saturday pizza or bad coffee. My guardians are gone. The barbershop is dark. I don't know the fate of this iconic local institution, but I'm sure the young barber will take good care of the place. Either way it is the end of an era. Paul, just like Joe, you hold a special place in my heart. I love you and will miss you. Good night world.